"I think I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir ... the Jungian thing, sir."
Private Joker, Full Metal Jacket

Monday, January 11, 2010

Green Bay Agonistes, the End.

First, we vent.

Yeah, the Packers got screwed by the officials on the game ending play - and on a number of other plays. Sure,Rodgers should have hit Jennings on the first play of overtime and maybe he held the ball too long on the last play. Yes, Capers should have blitzed more; it could have hardly made things worse. Agreed, the offensive line still played poorly. Absolutely, the Packers, at the end, generally had three to four guys on the field who are almost completely incapable of covering NFL receivers.

But ...

We saw one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history. Had Rodgers hit Jennings - a matter of inches - he'd be a national celebrity. He'd have had a place in NFL history no matter where the rest of his career takes him. Perhaps he should have taken a sack on the last play of the game, but he had to know that there was almost no chance that the Packers would have stopped the Cardinals once they got the ball back.

This looks like it was a transitional year. Rodgers emerged as one of the top five quarterbacks in the league. The team learned to play a 3-4 with personnel not quite suited to it.

But there are three things that must happen now. The Packers must obtain one - and perhaps two - offensive tackles. To go into next year thinking that Tauscher and Clifton can get us through another year would be criminal. If they can't be drafted, they must be bought.

They must pick up a cover corner and a competent backup safety.

Finally, they need one more atheletic linebacker along the lines of Clay Matthews. AJ Hawk in pass coverage is painful.

9 comments:

Mr. Rick, the team also needs to be clobbered for all the penalties they commit. How many drives this year were killed by a stupid penalty? This MUST be addressed, or it will be more of the same. As for the rest, right on..

About Me

I am President and General Counsel of the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty and an adjunct professor of law at Marquette University Law School. The views expressed here are my own and not those of WILL or Marquette. They are offered in my personal capacity.